Welcome to 80-Proof Politics!

Season 1

Oct. 15, 2019

Ep. 16 - From parking lot attendant to WH Counselor to the President.…

We put the wraps on Season 1 with Ed Gillespie, Chairman, SVC Public Affairs. From Senate parking lot attendant to WH Counselor to the President with a few political and advocacy stops along the way, Ed has lobbied and been …

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Sept. 30, 2019

Ep. 15 - Applying strategic public affairs to regulatory actions and …

In the second of our final three-part series on applying strategic communications, Stuart Roy, President - Strategic Action Public Affairs , adds the unique perspective of creating support for clients who face regulatory acti...

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Sept. 23, 2019

Ep. 14 - Tackling the fear of dealing with the media at the Boxcar Ta…

In episode 14 of 80-Proof Politics, we're joined by John Feehery, Partner with EFB Advocacy, at The Boxcar Tavern . John talks about how his rich history of working for the Speaker of the House, other politic leaders, and ev...

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Sept. 15, 2019

Ep. 13 - Brenda Becker, Sr VP Global Government Affairs with Boston S…

From a state association to the White House, Brenda Becker of Boston Scientific tells us why she always wanted to be a lobbyist and why social media is the toilet bowl of the internet.

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Sept. 2, 2019

Ep. 12 - Talking campaign work and crisis management with Matt Miller…

Matt Miller started as a 16-yr old page on Capitol Hill and worked his way through several state and federal campaigns before becoming the spokesman for A.G. Eric Holder the Obama Department of Justice. He joins me at Foundi...

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Aug. 19, 2019

Ep. 11 - Lobbying DC from the West Coast. Jennifer Poulakidas of UCLA…

Our Guestpert for episode 11 is Jennifer Poulakidas, Assoc. Vice Chancellor for Government and Community Relations with UCLA. Jenn recently moved to L.A. after a long successful advocacy career in DC, and tells us about lobby...

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Aug. 13, 2019

Ep. 10 - Making a 34-year advocacy career at one company with Kent We…

Counter to the 80-Proof adage that DC thrives on very diverse resumes, we revisit an old haunt, Cactus Cantina, with Kent Wells who talks about his 34 years with AT&T, how technology may change but certain lobbying techniques...

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July 29, 2019

Ep. 9 - Chatting with The Queen of the Internet, Shane Tews, at Equin…

In episode 9 of 80-Proof Politics, I’m joined by Shane Tews - President of Logan Circle Strategies at one of the consistently top-rated restaurants in DC, Equinox . Shane shares her experiences in campaign work, representing...

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July 21, 2019

Ep. 8 - The world of healthcare policy with Jim Smith, President of T…

In episode 8 of 80-Proof Politics, Jim Smith - President of Potomac Policy Group - joins me at the heart of Irish hospitality, The Dubliner. He talks about the enormity and depth of the healthcare policy world in Washington,...

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July 7, 2019

Ep. 7 - Helping the Good Do Better through social advocacy with Tom S…

Tom Sheridan, CEO and Founder of The Sheridan Group, discusses his new book, "Helping the Good Do Better," in which he distills the art of social advocacy, explains how to build a coalition of social cause groups and keep the...

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July 2, 2019

Ep. 6 - DoE contract capture with Sean Todd, Founder and President of…

Distilling the Art of Agency Advocacy, mixed with a bit of Capitol Hill lobbying. Sean Todd talks with us about catching the green bug in L.A., the value of putting yourself in position to raise your hand and say, "I …

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June 24, 2019

Ep. 5 - Learning how to navigate DC at Del Frisco's with Nadeam Elsha…

Nadeam Elshami, Policy Director - Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schrek, and one of Politico's "30 Most Powerful People in Trump's DC," talks about lessons learned during his lengthy career serving top Democrats in both the House an...

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June 17, 2019

Ep. 4 - Strategic public affairs with Ron Hutcheson at Shaw's Tavern

Ron Hutcheson, Managing Director - H+K Strategies, talks about the importance of the policy value proposition, representing the International Olympic Committee and Princess Haya of Jordan, and why creating a surround sound fo...

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June 7, 2019

Ep. 3 - The world of higher education advocacy with Sarah Spreitzer a…

Sarah Spreitzer, Director of Government and Public Affairs for the American Council on Education, talks about representing the presidents of 1,700+ colleges and universities with a staff of six, and why a graduate degree in M...

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June 2, 2019

Ep. 2 - Glenn LeMunyon and client representation at the Tune Inn

Our Guestpert on this week's 80-Proof Politics is Glenn Lemunyon, Founder and President of The LeMunyon Group, LLC. Glenn talks to us about representing clients, lobbying budget issues and appropriations, and how not to orde...

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May 27, 2019

Ep.1 - Running a Trade Association with Craig Purser at The Majestic …

The inaugural episode of 80-Proof Politics features Craig Purser, CEO and President of the National Beer Wholesalers Association who shares with us how one of the top trade associations in DC translates the operations of 1700...

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